Casino Budget

For those who like to go to the casino on a cruise... How much is your budget? the BF and I are having a discussion... He needs to be put on a budget, but I know how easy someone can blow through $50 on black jack

I try to keep it at $20/day (slots) I take the $20 and play until it's time to quit or I run out of funds. If I win, I take the next $20 from that rather than the budgeted amount. If I don't I go to the $20 I already set aside. I also, usually give myself a time limit of 2-3 hours a day. The DH is a non-gambler and he just shakes his head.

I always say to myself I am bringing $300.00 to win or lose with. I start playing Roulette and watch my $40 disappear so I quit for awhile. Play a little more win a little. Same with Blackjack. The problem with me is I never stick to the $300. I quit all together after I lose a $100.

After the cruise vacation is paid off, including the auto-gratuities, excursions, spa treatments, beverage packages, specialty dining reservations, and any pre/post-cruise transport & possible room & board, I will review what is left over. I try to pre-pay as much as possible and if something can not be pre-paid I will purchase On Board Credits or specific gift cards to cover those costs or put money aside (left at home) and plan on using a credit card to pay for that expense.

Usually 1/3 of the remaining budget is towards pre/post-cruise entertainment, activities, and incidental costs like tipping the porters. Another 1/3 is for in port spending on souvenirs, snacks, and tipping of tour guides. The last 1/3 is for on board spending, including the casino. Each of these thirds are usually broken down by third again, 1/3 to my DH, 1/3 to me, and 1/3 to spend jointly such as on extra tipping or household souvenirs. This allows us to not quibble over who spent what where.

DH likes to buy lots and lots of pictures, but also likes to do the tables a couples of nights of each cruise. So if his on board 1/3 allows him $350 for 7 night cruise he has to decide on his own how he will split up those funds. For him it generally means $75-100 for each of the 2 Formal/Elegant nights for the tables and $150-200 pictures. I like to play slots, but I play everyday, and I also like to get specialty drinks until recently not covered by drink packages, so I'll allow my self to have about $40 each day in the casino and $10 towards my chai or milkshakes. Since we both like BINGO, that will come out of the house portion of the budget.

After the cruise vacation is paid off, including the auto-gratuities, excursions, spa treatments, beverage packages, specialty dining reservations, and any pre/post-cruise transport & possible room & board, I will review what is left over. I try to pre-pay as much as possible and if something can not be pre-paid I will purchase On Board Credits or specific gift cards to cover those costs or put money aside (left at home) and plan on using a credit card to pay for that expense.

Usually 1/3 of the remaining budget is towards pre/post-cruise entertainment, activities, and incidental costs like tipping the porters. Another 1/3 is for in port spending on souvenirs, snacks, and tipping of tour guides. The last 1/3 is for on board spending, including the casino. Each of these thirds are usually broken down by third again, 1/3 to my DH, 1/3 to me, and 1/3 to spend jointly such as on extra tipping or household souvenirs. This allows us to not quibble over who spent what where.

DH likes to buy lots and lots of pictures, but also likes to do the tables a couples of nights of each cruise. So if his on board 1/3 allows him $350 for 7 night cruise he has to decide on his own how he will split up those funds. For him it generally means $75-100 for each of the 2 Formal/Elegant nights for the tables and $150-200 pictures. I like to play slots, but I play everyday, and I also like to get specialty drinks until recently not covered by drink packages, so I'll allow my self to have about $40 each day in the casino and $10 towards my chai or milkshakes. Since we both like BINGO, that will come out of the house portion of the budget.

I will have to try this next time. I have most paid off with the exception of one excursion if you can call it that (Labadee). I have some OBC so I was using that for some spa (to be booked) and Labadee. This was not a long planned cruise (4 months is not a long time for me) so I'm feeling rushed.

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